Rating: 
Summary: Valley of the Placebos
Review: I tore through this book, first reading it, hoping for a satisfactory followup to my favorite book of all time...then I tore through it again with my bare hands, ripping to shreds this slap in the face to Jacqueline Susann. The promotions for the book brag that this is based on an outline by Miss Susann. An outline is all you get in this book, as characters that were filled out with depth in the original, become charicatures. This is not a sequel: times have been changed, characters backgrounds have been changed and the overall tone of the story is completely different. Remember Helen Lawson? Apparently the "author" skimmed over her parts in the original, and Jennifer North is nothing but a castoff one line reference. According to biographies and interviews, Jaqueline was very protective of her characters, and SHADOW OF THE DOLLS attempts to please the hardcore fan and the first time reader, but fails miserably in pleasing either one. Avoid this book and reread the original Valley of the Dolls, or the Love Machine. The best thing I can say about this book, is that I hope it will spark interest in a deluxe DVD edition of the film, Valley of the Dolls.
Rating: 
Summary: SPARKLE, NEELY, SPARKLE: Petition FOX for a DVD release!
Review: If you're reading this review, then you're ovbviously a fan of the book "VALLEY OF THE DOLLS". Chances are, you're also a fan of the film. If you're not in a coma, then I'm sure that you, like me, desperately want this great film to be released on DVD. So let's all band together and take some action!Let's all write FOX STUDIOS and petition to have "VALLEY OF THE DOLLS" released as a DELUXE SPECIAL EDITION WIDESCREEN DVD with plenty of extras! Please simply print-out the following open letter on your computer, and mail it to FOX and DEMAND that we get this on DVD as soon as possible!!! Dear Fox Studios: I hereby declare that "Valley of the Dolls" is THE best motion picture of all-time, and I insist and demand that you release it on DVD in a DELUXE SPECIAL EDITION as soon as possible! "VALLEY OF THE DOLLS" deserves a DVD presentation that includes: *Original W I D E S C R E E N presentation!
*Deleted scenes and out-takes!
*Restored theatrical release with the unedited love scene with Sharon Tate!
*Interviews with cast members!
*Judy Garland's unused scenes and out-take scenes!
*Judy Garland's soundtrack version of "I'll Plant My Own Tree!"
*Original theatrical trailers from "VOD" and other Jacqueline Susann films!!
*Interviews with Jacqueline Susann!
*Photo galleries!
*Costume tests with Judy Garland and other cast members!
*Stereo 5.1 Surround-Sound!
*Digitally-enhanced and restored film print-transfer to DVD!
*Trivia information, such as how and why Marilyn Monroe's voice was used in the film! (They also used one of Marilyn Monroe's costumes from "There's No Business Like Show Business!)
*Any and all additional extras that you can possibly pack onto the DVD disc! Let's get going on this, it's already been too long for this fabulous film to be released on DVD! Sincerely,
(Your Name Here) I'm serious! The only way to get this FABULOUS movie on DVD at last is to let FOX know how much we want it! I hope you'll all take some action to make it happen.
In the meantime, remember to get up at 5 in the morning and "Sparkle, Neely, sparkle"!!!
Rating: 
Summary: The Ultimate Guilty Pleasure
Review: OK. I confess. I didn't just read this, I bought it. In hardcover. But I bought it used, admit that much in my defense. Reading this makes you feel like the ghosts of your college literature professors are standing over you shaking their bony fingers. But that's the point of it. It's like going to a family gathering and talking to your aunt who's been married five times and is eagerly looking to find number six. You feel your grandmother's eyes burning into the back of your head but you just can't stop listening. This book could have been called TWO WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL. Oh, don't worry, Neeley and Anne are still around at the end of the story, ready to go on bedding down and putting up with unworthy men in their neverending quest for Mr. Wrong. The reason this didn't get a fifth star is that I'd like to have seen more characters from the first book return. Helen Lawson is dead, and that wonderful old battleaxe was my favorite character in the first one. Miraculously, although decades have passed the characters haven't aged all that much. And, of course, nobody is wrinkled. Bartender, Botox for everybody. So put on your dark glasses and go get a copy of it. If you're reading it in public, put a dust jacket for SWANN'S WAY on it to fool your artsy friends. And enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: Return of the Dolls
Review: Well the long awaited sequel is finally here!It is like catching up with old friends. Yes, there have been a lot of liberties taken with dates and characters and nothing will ever be as good as the original "Valley of the Dolls", one of my all time favorite books and movies. Having said all that I really enjoyed this sequel. It brings Anne, Neely and Lyon into the present time and is very enjoyable reading, I could not put the book down. As with any good sequel, it introduces many new characters (especially the main characters children). It also mentions characters from the first book: Helen Lawson, Jennifer North. I think Jacqueline Susann would be very pleased. I can not wait to see for the movie. I know that there will be one. I know before long I will want to read this book again.
Rating:
Summary: SPARKLE, NEELY, SPARKLE: Petition FOX for a DVD release!
Review: If you're reading this review, then you're ovbviously a fan of the book "VALLEY OF THE DOLLS". Chances are, you're also a fan of the film. If you're not in a coma, then I'm sure that you, like me, desperately want this great film to be released on DVD. So let's all band together and take some action! Let's all write FOX STUDIOS and petition to have "VALLEY OF THE DOLLS" released as a DELUXE SPECIAL EDITION WIDESCREEN DVD with plenty of extras! Please simply print-out the following open letter on your computer, and mail it to FOX and DEMAND that we get this on DVD as soon as possible!!! Dear Fox Studios: I hereby declare that "Valley of the Dolls" is THE best motion picture of all-time, and I insist and demand that you release it on DVD in a DELUXE SPECIAL EDITION as soon as possible! "VALLEY OF THE DOLLS" deserves a DVD presentation that includes: *Original W I D E S C R E E N presentation!
*Deleted scenes and out-takes!
*Restored theatrical release with the unedited love scene with Sharon Tate!
*Interviews with cast members!
*Judy Garland's unused scenes and out-take scenes!
*Judy Garland's soundtrack version of "I'll Plant My Own Tree!"
*Original theatrical trailers from "VOD" and other Jacqueline Susann films!!
*Interviews with Jacqueline Susann!
*Photo galleries!
*Costume tests with Judy Garland and other cast members!
*Stereo 5.1 Surround-Sound!
*Digitally-enhanced and restored film print-transfer to DVD!
*Trivia information, such as how and why Marilyn Monroe's voice was used in the film! (They also used one of Marilyn Monroe's costumes from "There's No Business Like Show Business!)
*Any and all additional extras that you can possibly pack onto the DVD disc! Let's get going on this, it's already been too long for this fabulous film to be released on DVD! Sincerely,
(Your Name Here) I'm serious! The only way to get this FABULOUS movie on DVD at last is to let FOX know how much we want it! I hope you'll all take some action to make it happen.
In the meantime, remember to get up at 5 in the morning and "Sparkle, Neely, sparkle"!!!
Rating: 
Summary: What a disappointment!
Review: Having read the original VOTD for the first time almost 30 years ago, I was thrilled to learn that a sequal was being released. I have to confesss that I am a VOTD fanatic, and have an autographed first edition of Ms. Susann's classic, as well as all other books she has written. Thus, my expectations were high.When Shadow arrived (pre-ordered and sent to me in Holland by express mail), I immediately stopped all non essential activites and began to devour it, first in large gulps, then slower and slower, with increasing disappointment and bitterness. The author has played fast and loose with the characters, updating the time frame by more than 20 years, but making the characters only a few years older than the original. The situations are predictable, the characters one dimensional, and the writing can most charitably described as plodding. I fail to understand why this travesty of a novel has been so well received by so many readers. Perhaps they were not around to experience the thrill of the original novel--scandalous, controversial, and above all, unputdownable in its acute and acerbic observation of life in the fast lane. Miss Susann must be rolling in her grave. I consider Shadow to be a desecration and insult to one of the cultural pop art triumphs of the mid 20th century. Do not buy this book. Do not read this book. If it is offered to you, follow Nancy Reagan's advice, and JUST SAY NO!
Rating:
Summary: Loved It!
Review: ... I loved this book! I couldn't put it down! i was so interested in this book! It made me feel like i knew these people...
Rating:
Summary: a very pale shadow indeed
Review: Jacqueline Susann wasn't Milton, but she told a good story. She also set us up at the end of "Valley of the Dolls" (New Year's Eve 1964, If I remember correctly) for a great sequel. Unfortunately, this wasn't it. The prospect of Neely and Anne leaving their marks on the women's movement and the sexual revolution could have been fascinating and fun,(Think Neely in a group therapy session or Anne burning her maidenform in front of Gillian Cosmetics) but Rae Lawrence opts to move our girls to the vapid 90's, where she subsitutes plot and character for boring name-dropping, which makes this book about as exciting as a back issue of Town & Country. There's a whole new cast of inance characters, all of whom I think would make Jackie wince. They are all so similar and one-dimensional that before long you can't tell one Waspy boyfriend of Anne's from another. And loads of bratty children, all of whom are annoying in their own right. The ending is particularly idiotic. I won't give away the plot (such as it is) but suffice to say that where they end up is just about as stupid as where they began. I bought this book as a light read on a cross country rail trip, and it was a strugle to finish. Do yourself a favor and re-read the original. This one just doesn't cut it.
Rating:
Summary: Neely and Anne are back and better than ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Review: Shadow Of The Dolls is a fitting sequel to one of the best show-Biz stories ever told! For Valley Of The Dolls fans,Neely playes Helen Lawson in a bio-pic and wins an oscar!!!! I promise you this book is worth every penny!!! I could not put it down!!!!
Rating:
Summary: Yummy!
Review: Shadow of the Dolls is a fitting sequel to Jacqueline Susann's "Valley of the Dolls". Rae Lawrence certainly did Jaqueline justice with this. Though it is not necessary to have read "Valley...", it does make this book that much better if you do. I couldn't put this book down. I was so interested in the lives of Anne and Neely and Lyon. The characters became part of me for the 3 days it took me to read this book. I wish there was another one. When I was finished reading it I was sad because it was over. I want to read it again.
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